Cyanide is among the ubiquitous chemicals that humans are usually exposed to and it is well documented that cyanide induces infertility in humans and experimental rodents. However, the pathogenesis remains unknown. Likewise, quercetin is an important nutraceutical that detoxifies reactive oxygen species, but its effects on testicular damage is not clear. The present study investigated the role of nutraceutical, quercetin on cyanide-induced testicular toxicity and probable involvement of cAMP-response-element modulator (CREM) which is a transcription factor necessary for the process of spermatogenesis. Thus, this work hypothesized that quercetin will mitigate endocrine dysfunction induced by cyanide. Seventy-two adult male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (A to G). Groups A, B, C, F and G comprised of eight (8) rats per group while groups D and E comprised of sixteen (16) rats per group. Group A was designated as control while Groups B and C were given 0.5 and 1 mg/kg of cyanide respectively for 56 days. Group D and E received 0.5 and 1 mg/kg body weight cyanide respectively for 30 days. At day 30, eight animals were sacrificed from Group D and E and the remaining eight (8) rats were subdivided into sub-groups (D1 and E1) and were given 20 and 40 mg/kg of quercetin respectively for twenty-six (26) days. Group F and G were given concurrent administration of cyanide and quercetin at a dose of 0.5 + 20 mg/kg and 1 + 40 mg/kg respectively for 56 days. Body and testicular weight were significantly reduced in cyanide treated groups while quercetin modulates the reduction. Significant down-regulation of CREM gene and reduction in serum level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and zinc in cyanide-treated groups, whereas administration of quercetin concomitantly with cyanide exposure or post-treated significantly reversed the alterations.

Objective: The literature has shown that synthetic antipsychotic drugs induce reproductive toxicity, while psychiatric patients treated with traditionally used antipsychotic herbs (Rauwolfia vomitoria) showed no traces of reproductive toxicity. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the expression of CREM, PRM I and II genes in the testes of Wistar rats treated with antipsychotic drugs: chlorpromazine, Rauwolfia vomitoria (RV) and co-administration of reserpine, zinc and ascorbate (RAZ). Methods: Forty-five adult male Wistar rats with rats with average weight of 180±4.67g were divided into nine groups (A-I) (n=5). Group A was administered saline (control) while rats in Groups B and C received 10 and 20mg/ kg body weight (bwt) of chlorpromazine respectively. Groups D and E received 2.5 and 5mg/kg bwt of reserpine, respectively; while Groups F and G received 150 and 300mg/kg bwt of RV leaf extract. Groups H and I received (2.5+5+100) mg/kg bwt and (5+10+200) mg/kg of combination of RAZ, respectively for 56 days. Results: The CREM, PRM I and II genes were significantly downregulated while significant decreased in serum FSH and testosterone concentration were found in the Chlorpromazine-and Reserpine-treated groups. Groups H and I showed a highly significant upregulation of the CREM, PRM I and II genes, and a highly significant increase in serum FSH and testosterone concentrations. Conclusion: The study concluded that the HPT-Axis was impaired by chlorpromazine and reserpine, while RV and a combination of RAZ administration enhanced the axis in an animal model. The study recommended that synthetic antipsychotic drugs should be taken with Zinc and Ascorbate in order to help prevent reproductive toxicity associated with antipsychotic drugs. We need further studies in humans to confirm these findings.

Several causes of infertility have been identified, and several papers have documented some compounds that cause infertility. One of the compounds reported to be toxic to the reproductive system is cyanide. In the management of infertility, various mechanisms ranging from synthetic drugs, natural products and supplements have been employed. Quercetin is an antioxidant supplement that has been used in the treatment of a variety of ailments. This work is aimed at investigating the role of quercetin in attenuating spermato-toxicity and testicular-histopathology induced by cyanide. Seventy-two (72) male wistar rat (weight 190 g ± 10 g) were divided into nine groups (n = 8) except for groups 4 and 5 with (n = 16). Group 1 (control) received physiological saline while Groups 2 and 3 received 0.5 and 1 mg/kg body weight (bwt) cyanide respectively for 56 days, groups 4 and 5 received 0.5 and 1 mg/kg bwt cyanide respectively for 30 days. At day 30, eight animals were sacrificed from Groups 4 and 5 and the remaining eight (8) rats were subdivided into groups (6 and 7) and were given 20 and 40 mg/kg bwt of quercetin respectively for twenty-six days. Co-administration of cyanide and quercetin at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg cyanide +20 mg/kg quercetin and 1 mg/kg cyanide +40 mg/kg quercetin were given to group 8 and 9 respectively for 56 days. Significant decreases in sperm parameters (count, motile and normal sperm) and increases in malondiadehyde concentration were observed in the cyanide treated groups. Testicular histoarchitecture showed few to no spermatozoa in the lumen of rats treated with cyanide. All these effects were attenuated by quercetin. In conclusion, quercetin regulates testicular histopathology induced by cyanide in Wistar rats. Data from this work suggests potential preventive or therapeutic applications of quercetin for individuals subjected to cyanide environmental pollution.

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Background/Aim: The effects of several household materials containing toxic chemicals have been a focus point in recent studies concerning male infertility. In this study, we evaluated the testiculotoxic effect of isopropyl alcohol-based air freshener (IBA) on the testis of adult Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: About 20 adult Wistar rats were divided at random, to four groups, five in each group. Group A rats were exposed to natural air for 4 weeks. The study groups (B, C, and D) were exposed to different graded doses of IBA for 4 weeks. Group B rats were exposed to 2.5 ml, Group C to 5 ml, and Group D to 10 ml of IBA for 6 h/day via whole body inhalation. Results: The results of the study showed a statistically significant (P < 0.05) decrease in testis weight, testis relative body weight and testis volume in the IBA exposed groups as compared to the control group. Reduction in sperm concentration, sperm motility, normal sperm morphology and significant (P < 0.05) increase in abnormal sperm morphology was observed in the study groups when compared to that of the control group. Furthermore, in comparison to the control group, degeneration of testicular architecture was observed in the study groups. Conclusion: Exposure of IBA to adult Wistar rats causes testicular histology damage and deranged sperm parameters.